Honda Market Destination Area Codes
Decode Honda vehicle destination (area) codes such as KA, KL, and KG used for market, steering, and speedometer identification.
Adapted from Icelord
Honda and Acura vehicles carry a short destination / area code that identifies the intended market. The code drives steering hand, speedometer units, lighting, emissions packages, and which parts catalogs apply.
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Where to Find the Code
Common locations (vary by era and model):
- Certification / tire placard in the door jamb
- Body data plate or firewall tag
- Build plate in the engine bay
- Sometimes encoded in documentation or options lists
Treat the physical plate on the vehicle as authoritative when catalogs disagree.
How to Read the Table
| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Area code | Two-letter market destination |
| Market / region | Intended sales region or country group |
| Steering | LHD or RHD |
| Speedometer | Miles (M) or kilometers (Km) |
Common Destination Codes
| Code | Market / notes | Steering | Speedo |
|---|---|---|---|
| KA | USA | LHD | M |
| KB | Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg | LHD | Km |
| KC | Canada | LHD | Km |
| KD | Other countries (examples historically include Panama, Bahamas, Liberia; older notes mention Okinawa for 1968) | LHD | M |
| KE | England, Ireland | RHD | M |
| KF | France (also associated with Italy/Portugal in some lists; older assignments differ) | LHD | Km |
| KG | Germany (historical Swiss assignment in early lists) | LHD | Km |
| KH | China / South America (and related destinations depending on era) | LHD | varies |
| KJ | Common JDM / Japan destination marker on many lists | RHD | Km |
| KK | Various export assignments by era | varies | varies |
| KL | Often Australia / New Zealand on enthusiast lists - verify on the vehicle plate | RHD | Km |
| KQ / KR / others | Additional export splits appear on later models | varies | varies |
Note
Letter assignments have been reallocated across decades. Always confirm against the plate on the car and a period-correct parts catalog. Do not assume a code from a forum list without checking the vehicle.
Why the Code Matters
- Steering racks and column switches differ LHD vs RHD
- Clusters and gearing differ miles vs kilometers
- Lighting and reflectors follow regional rules
- ECU/emissions packages track market, not only chassis code
- Parts supersession (mirrors, harnesses, bumpers) often keys off destination
Identification Workflow
- Read the destination code from the vehicle plate.
- Note chassis code, engine code, and transmission.
- Cross-check the parts catalog for that destination.
- When importing or swapping, list every system that is market-specific (cluster, harness, ECU, lighting, evaporative system).
Related Identification
Pair destination codes with:
- Chassis codes (EG, EK, BB, etc.)
- Engine stamps and head castings
- ECU part numbers (for example 37820-xxx-xxx)
Destination alone does not define the engine or ECU, but it narrows the correct catalog branch.
Applies to
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Source Adapted from Honda area codes on Icelord. Licensed under All rights reserved.